ABSTRACT
The demographic shifts in the number and percentage of persons age 65 and older in our population were discussed in the earlier chapters of this text. These figures must be reiterated at this point because they have direct implications regarding the potential political power of this age group of Americans. The 3 million 65-plus Americans in 1900, representing 4 percent of the population and widely distributed across the country, made few demands for public services and could easily be ignored by the politicians of the day. The 35 million Americans who are 65 plus in 2000 represent 12.4 percent of the population and cannot easily be ignored. Moreover, this 12.4 percent of the population constitutes 20 percent of the electorate because those under 18 do not vote.
